8 North Dodsworth, Greenside, Ryton on Tyne, Co. Durham.
Previous Address:
Civilian Employment:
Locomotive Fireman at Greenside Colliery.
How Died:
Died of wounds
Date of Death:
Wednesday 9th August 1916
Place of Death:
France
Battle/Campaign:
Locally Commemorated:
Ryton War Memorial, Station Bank, Ryton on Tyne, Co. Durham.
Greenside War Memorial, Greenside, Ryton on Tyne, Co. Durham.
UK Commemorated:
-
Overseas Commemorated:
-
Buried:
Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension, Nord, France. Reference II. F. 145
Decoration and Medals:
Photographs:
4
Service Records:
No
Death Notice/Obituary:
Family Details:
Husband of Isabella Greener of 8 North Dodsworth, Greenside, Ryton on Tyne, Co. Durham.
Notes :
William was a member of Greenside Social Club and Institute. He enlisted in the colours on 7th April 1915.
A letter dated 25th August 1916 was received by Isabella Rochester written by Sergeant E Maddison, of 8th Platoon B Company. 1st/9th Durham Light Infantry who was present when William was wounded. The letter goes on to say that “about 3 pm the enemy began to trouble the trenches with mortars and rifle grenades, when a small grenade fell between us and he got nearly the full effects of the explosion. I was lucky, I had only three or four scratches in the foot but his right leg was severely damaged below the knee. Sergeant Maddison goes on to say that he managed to get William to a stretcher bearer where he received immediate attention for his wounds. William had also been wounded in his back. Sergeant Maddison states that he was holding William's shoulders when William turned his face up and said It is the wife and bairns who will suffer most here. William had handed his watch to an officer and asked that it be forwarded to his wife. He was then evacuated to a Field Hospital where his right leg was amputated. He was then admitted to the 8th Casualty Clearing Station where he died at 5.30 am the following morning.
Nursing Sister J Todd confirmed by a letter to Mrs Greener that her husband had been terribly ill and although restoratives had been applied he did not rally. Another letter received by Mrs Greener from Anthony F Fenn, Chaplain, states that he laid William's body to rest in an English Cemetery at Bailleul, that was made beautiful by the loving care of some French people.
Sources Used:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission Debt of Honour Register.
Soldiers Died in the Great War.
Information from family member.
